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  • The Wrong Smoke Detectors

    The Wrong Smoke Detectors

    Most houses have smoke detectors installed but many of them could be the incorrect type—and potentially deadly.

    There are two major kinds, ionization and photoelectric. Ionization are the most common. In fact the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 90% of all smoke detectors are ionization.

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    Ionization alarms use a small bit of radioactive material to trip the alarm when it detects large burning particles, have been shown to be less able to detect slow-burning or smoldering fires, such as those caused by cigarettes, frayed wires, and sparks from a still-smoldering fireplace.

    Statistics show 30,000 people in the U.S. have died since 1990 because they relied on ionization detectors. That’s because an ionization alarm can sometimes take between 20 and even 50 minutes longer to activate than a photoelectric smoke alarm.

    So why do ionization alarms get placed in homes?

    Answer: They’re cheaper.

    So what’s the best way to protect your family—besides not smoking and otherwise fireproofing your home and holding regular exit drills?

    Invest in photoelectric alarms in bedrooms and hallways, and leave the ionization alarms in the kitchen, if at all.

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    In addition, make sure they are properly placed high on walls or ceilings, are hardwired (preferably by a licensed electrician), which means they don’t rely on battery power, and are interconnected so if one sounds they all sound.

    To add photoelectric smoke detectors to your security system as a monitored zone, call 800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Spring Safety Tips

    Spring Safety Tips

    With spring officially here, there are two safety concerns the Chatham-Kent police are hoping to bring to your attention.

    First, there are the dangers that exist near streams, rivers, ponds and lakes around this time of year. Children and pets particularily should stay away from the edges of all waterways.

    Warmer temperatures, rain, melting snow and ice contribute to higher, faster flowing water in our rivers. Slippery and unstable banks and extremely cold water temperatures can also lead to very hazardous conditions close to any body of water. This also contributes to thin ice on ponds and lakes. Keep off them this time of year.

    You may also notice an increase in car/deer collisions at this time of year as deer become more active.

    Ensure your headlights are on at dawn and dusk and keep your eyes on the road, scanning the sides of the road as well.. When there is no oncoming traffic, switch to high beams to better reflect the eyes of deer on or near the roadway. Be especially aware of any distractions that might take your eyes off the road, even if only momentarily, such as cell phones, adjusting the radio, eating or passenger activities. Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs that mark commonly-travelled areas, and be aware that deer typically cross between areas of cover, such as woods or where roads divide agricultural fields from woods. If you see a deer crossing the road ahead, slow down immediately and proceed with caution until you are past the crossing point. Deer usually travel in groups, so if you see one deer, there are likely to be others. Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten deer away. Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce car/deer collisions. Do not swerve to miss a deer. Brake and stay in your lane. Losing control of your vehicle, crossing into another lane, hitting an oncoming vehicle or leaving the roadway and hitting another obstacle such as a tree or a pole is likely to be much more serious than hitting a deer.

    If you hit a deer, stop at the scene, pull your car off to the side of the road if possible and call police. Do not touch the animal or get too close. And remember to always wear your seatbelt.

    To see the full article, go here http://www.thepost.on.ca/2015/03/25/safety-tips-for-spring-time

    Flooding basements are a problem at this time of year, and Security ONE has the solution. Add a flood detector of sump pump monitor to your security system. Call 1-800-265-5317 to learn more, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Dumb Criminal: Drywall Doofus

    Dumb Criminal: Drywall Doofus

    Dumb Criminal

    A burglary suspect who cut through the drywall of Seattle apartment building to try to escape capture got stuck in an air duct and had to be rescued by firefighters.

    KIRO reports that a resident of the complex caught the man Tuesday night stealing quarters from a soda machine in the laundry room.

    The burglar blocked the door and tried to get away by cutting through drywall.

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    When he ran into a basement masonry wall, he tried to crawl out a vent but got trapped and had to call for help.

    Firefighters cut him free.

    He was provided minor medical attention, room and board in the Clink, and a spot in our Dumb Criminals Hall of Fame.

  • Caught On Camera

    Caught On Camera

    After a local heist at a KELCOM retail store, a 49 year old man faces charges of theft in Chatham.

     

    The Chatham-Kent Police service confirms a man entered the business on Kiel Dr. last Saturday. A watch display was removed, and the man fled the scene.

    A 49 year old man has since been arrested and is charged with theft under $5000. He has been released with a future court date. His name was not immediately released.

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    Video Surveillance cameras, installed and monitored by Security ONE Alarms, caught the crime from multiple angles and provided the police with enough evidence to make an arrest.

    Video surveillance cameras are an important part of a small business’ security plan as they not only help to protect your merchandise, but also help to protect your employees. Video Surveillance is an investment that serves as an excellent deterrent, and provides a true ROI.

    To learn more about the video surveillance solution that right for your business, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Call The Police

    Call The Police

    The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police have launched a crime prevention awareness campaign launched this year, and they are encouraging you to report all crime, no matter how petty the incident may seem at the time.

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    Windsor police recorded 8,600 incidents of property crime last year, which makes up nearly half of the 17,200 criminal code violations they investigated during that period.

    On average, police responded to one property crime every hour in 2014.

    Property crimes include arson, break and enter, theft, mischief and fraud.

    Windsor police statistics show 2,950 property crimes of thefts under $5,000 recorded in 2014, plus another 1,660 incidents of theft from a vehicle under $5,000.

    Combined, the 4,610 charges make up more than half of the property crimes reported last year. Even with these numbers, many property crimes go unreported, police said.

    People often in general don’t to be a burden or nuisance to already busy police officers by reporting a garage break-in or the theft of an inexpensive bike. But police crime analysts need every bit of information, if they’re going to identify crime trends and effectively target criminals.

    Video Verification

    Residents in Windsor and around Ontario are also asked to be vigilant in order to prevent crime in their communities. From suspicious activity or unusual noises at a neighbour’s home to unknown vehicles or strangers lurking on your street, police say too many warning signs are ignored.

    Police say you should give them a call. They’ll find out if those concerns are legitimate.

    They also suggested getting involved in your neighbourhood. Getting to know your neighbours and their patterns will all help detect unusual activity.

    Statistics also show that a monitored security system is three-times less likely to broken into. To learn how easy it is to have a Security ONE system installed, call 1-800-265-5317 or JUST CLICK HERE.

  • Watch Your Online Posting

    Watch Your Online Posting

    Woohoo! 8 days and counting!

    Mexico Here I come!

    Here’s me on Beach!

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    We’ve seen these posts come up in our feeds. You may even have posted something similar yourself! With March Break just around the corner, many people are planning vacations away from all this snow, but beware of the dangers of posting these type of posts online.

    They seem harmless, but when you make that kind of post, you’re really saying this to the world, “In eight days from today, my house will be empty for AT LEAST seven days, and I’ll be so far away, that I won’t be able to do anything about it.”

    One of the most common ways that criminals use social media to commit crimes is by researching when people won’t be home and taking this opportunity to break into their properties.

    The way algorithms on social media sites work can make your post visible to friends-of-your-friends. And to be honest, most people have “friends” on their profiles that are acquaintances at best. Do you REALLY know 623 people – that you consider to be a friend?

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    By sharing holiday plans in real-time online, you let criminals know that you’ll be out of town for a while. They can use this information to rob your home when they know you won’t be around.

    It’s much safer to share vacation details after the fact, once you have arrived home safely. Tell individual friends and family members in person the dates that you’ll be away, but don’t post the details online.

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    Finally, with our award-winning app, Total Connect, from Honeywell, you can stay connected to your home in REAL TIME, accessing video surveillance and confirming the status of your security system. To learn more about this fantastic service, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Why VoIP Will Not Transmit Alarm Signals

    Why VoIP Will Not Transmit Alarm Signals

    Many VoIP suppliers actually specify in their literature and web pages that alarm systems should not be connected to VoIP.

    Here are the problems associated with VoIP internet and cable services.

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    • The VoIP adapter is not wired to the jack directly.
    • The VoIP adapter is wired correctly, but signals will not go through for various reasons, such as the alarm user is accessing other internet services at the time an alarm goes off.
    • The VoIP service cannot accurately reproduce the sounds from the alarm communicator over the internet or cable service.
    • Even when internet or cable phone service is working fine, alarm signals may cease to transmit properly.
    • VoIP providers use different internet communication methods, depending on cost savings, to carry their internet and cable phone service. The customer will not be aware of any change until the alarm system is no longer able to transmit signals.
    • The VoIP service will most likely not allow alarm companies to remotely download changes to the the alarm control panel. This will result in the customer having to pay for a service technician to service the system.
    • POTS systems (or Plain Old Telephone Systems) are required to have their own power supply and will usually work in a power outage. VoIP is not required to have a backup power supply and may not reliably work during power outages.

    Because internet and cable phone service technology changes so fast, alarm users MUST regularly test the ability of their alarm system to transmit signals, per their alarm company’s instructions. If you are unsure how to properly test your alarm system, call your alarm company.

    Security ONE has the communication solution for you. It’s quick & easy, more reliable, and will help save you money. Call 1-800-265-5317 to learn more, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Furnace Vents

    Furnace Vents

    It’s been a heavy snowfall this last week. As a result, Windsor Fire and Rescue has a special warning. not about of fire calls but rather blocked furnace vents.

    Fire officials say that snow blocking the exterior vents for a furnace, fire place or hot water tank can lead to a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide gas inside the home. News reports say the fire department has responded to several carbon monoxide alarms over the past couple of days.

    AM800 News says Chief Fire Prevention Officer John Lee is urging homeowners to make sure the vents are clear. “I think it’s mainly because of the drifting. A lot of the vents were blocked against house and we want people to be aware to keep them clear.”

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    And if you’re shoveling, Lee says make sure you don’t pile snow in front of a vent.

    Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it has no taste or smell and is invisible.

    Ontario passed a law in July 2014 making it mandatory to have working Carbon Monoxide detectors on every floor of a home with an attached garage or gas burning appliance such as a stove, fireplace or furnace.

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    To learn more about adding a monitored Carbon Monoxide detector to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

     

  • Fire Monitoring In The Cold

    Fire Monitoring In The Cold

    Old Man Winter is finally here and the temperatures just keep dropping. When the weather gets colder, its natural to look for different ways to heat your home. This increased need for heat also means an increased need for fire monitoring services.

    Space heaters can be a serious threat. While a space heater is a great way to beat the chills, it’s crucial that you use these devices correctly and safely.

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    There are three main problems with how space heaters are used that can lead to fires.

    • Placing them near curtains, linens and other similar items.
    • Leaving them unattended.
    • A space heater with a damaged cord or plugging it into an overloaded outlet.

    If you’re using a fireplace to heat your home, be sure to keep flammable materials away from it, check all equipment before use and use a screen to keep embers contained.

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    Whether or not you use space heaters, fire places, or other means of creating heat, fire monitoring protects your home. Consider that if a fire breaks out at a neighbour’s property, it could very easily spread to yours and cause serious damage. Fire monitoring can drastically reduce this potential damage.

    If your home is already protected by monitored smoke and heat detectors, be sure to test them regularly and vacuum them out frequently as the air filters can easily clog. These devices should changed every 7 years.

    Be sure our Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Station has your most current emergency contact numbers and email address to reach you at and alert you to a fire hazard when detected.

    Fire monitoring better ensures that your home is protected from the ravages of a Fire. You will be comforted knowing your premises are watched over 24/7.

    To learn more, or to add monitored smoke detectors to your home, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Birthday Milestone

    Birthday Milestone

    Security ONE Alarms is pleased to announce it has recognized a customer’s personal milestone.

    Orville Lesperance, of Windsor, ON celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 25 and Security ONE was on hand to participate in celebration.

    Security ONE Director of Marketing, Corey Robertson, says the milestone is an inspiring achievement. “We should all be so lucky so live as long, happy and healthy a life as Mr. Lesperance,” he said.  “We are incredibly honoured to have been invited to the family’s celebration, and we are very pleased to provide our Medical Alert monitoring service to Mr. Lesperance for as long as he may continue to require it.”

    Mr. Lesperance, an avid bowler to this day, was greeted by Lauren Snyder-Gault, Care Consultant for Security ONE. “He was thrilled,” Snyder-Gault said. “The family was overwhelmed by the gesture.”

    Robertson points out that Security ONE is continuing to support the community in 2015. “We recognize the role we play in the communities we serve,” he said. “That’s why we installed a complete smart home security system for the Keane family of Leamington after a violent break-in in 2014, and why we’ll continue to be involved with community initiatives like the Big Bike, Save The Children of Windsor-Essex, and Toys For Tots.”

    About Security ONE Alarms:

    Security ONE has been locally owned and operated since 1978, providing peace of mind to Southwestern Ontario for over 30 years, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Canadian Alarm & Security Association (CANASA), and is listed with Underwriters Laboratories Canada (ULC).

    Security ONE offers 24/7 monitoring on security systems, personal medical alarms, low temperature sensors, rising sump pump levels, and asset protection, all done from a local monitoring station.